Allora swimmer heading to Pan Pacific Games

SWIMMING: The long line of sporting achievers hailing from the Best Little Town on the Downs continues to grow with Allora youngster Cooper Harm taking his place on the blocks at next week's Pan Pacific School Games in Adelaide.

Cooper, who has been coached by Andrew Fidge, of Warwick, for the past five seasons, gained selection in the Queensland 10-12 School Swim Team after the trials held at Brisbane's Chandler complex back in March.

It's been a lengthy countdown since March for the talented 11-year-old, eager to compete at the Pan Pacs, his first international swim meet competing against the best school aged swimmers in the country and from overseas.

After jetting to Adelaide and taking part in the event opening ceremony on Sunday, Cooper will take to the pool on Monday, swimming the backstroke leg for Queensland in the medley relay. On Friday, he will compete in the 50-metre backstroke individual swim, his aim to record a PB swim and a berth in the finals. The final commitment for the up-and-coming young athlete is a freestyle relay on Saturday .

Cooper is no stranger to the national sporting stage. While the Pan Pacific School Games is his first appearance in a state team for swimming, he attended his first national sporting event last year in Sydney as a member of the Queensland 10-12 years track and field team.

The former Allora State School student who has commenced his secondary education at Toowoomba Grammar School is a third generation Queensland representative within his family.

Grandparents Col and Val Willett are state tennis representatives, and Aunt Melissa Willett has worn state and national soccer colours with distinction.